Modernist Poetry: Wallace Stevens and T.S. Elliot

Life and death dictate everyones lives: life because it leads to death and death because it is inevitable. To understand the modern treatment of death an analysis of modernist poetry is important. Wallace Stevens and T.S. Elliot were both modernist poets and hope to bring a change in society. Sunday Morning and The Hollow Men give insight into the notions of modernity concerning death.

The title Sunday Morning implies the Christian holiday of Easter, the holy hush of ancient sacrifice. The main character of the poem contemplates the idea of death and religion. She is skipping out on going to Church and is enjoying and relaxing over breakfast when the thought of an old catastrophe encroaches upon her. She thinks about Christianity, the concept of divinity, and the ultimate perishing of all things human and nonhuman.

She looks at her breakfast and the bird in front of her on a pathway towards entropy winding across wide water, without sound. She parallels this observation with her own life like wide water, without sound, Stilled for the passing of her dreaming feet Over the seas, to silent Palestine, Dominion of the blood and sepulcher. She is thinking about the concept of Eternal life in Christianity and that maybe she should go to Church because it is a supposed portal to escape being perished.

Her thoughts go over to Palestine which is the grave site of Jesus and that it is not the porch of spirits lingering. She debates with herself the concept of divinity and whether it exists. Through the description of nature Stevens shows that nature has parts of heaven in it because it is cherished like certain aspects of heaven. She contemplates that if we view things differently we can view them as bridges and not barriers such as the sky which should be a bridge to divinity.

The modern view of death depends on a person. According to her, the Christian belief is that the world is a place that keeps people from reaching divinity but she argues that the world should serve as a place that leads to divinity in heaven.

She talks about birds and how they scan their territory and examine the area is like a human being looking into religion and finding reasons to believe in all the concepts or to go against them. She wonders what happens when someone decides or reaches the conclusion that there is no God. This would lead to the destruction of the idea of heaven and hell that define the lives of people so strictly. She says that although this could be a conclusion she still craves an imperishable bliss.

The answer to all her questions is death. Everything perishes except death. People die, food rots, water evaporates and the seasons change. Death comes to everything except itself. The second answer is bliss because once a person fulfills and wish or a desire he puts an end to the initial desire. Fulfilling an idea kills desire henceforth fulfillment is a death too.

She understands that to move on to the next life such as the one in paradise a person has to die first. She says that death is the mother of beauty and that a change of the seasons, a change of the living to the dead, a change of the climate, a change of opinions represents the death of the precedent idea or circumstance. Without this death, there can be no advancement or evolution of the human mind and the spirit. With change comes beauty because if Spring was always Spring and there was no Fall no one would ever appreciate its beauty. One thing has to end for the other to exist and to be appreciated. The change represents death and death gives us beauty.

The entire poem reflects on the modernist view of death and the idea that is not inescapable but that does not mean it is a bad thing. Death is inevitable and the human mind has a thirst for some sort of imperishable bliss no matter what conclusions they form. Just because death is inevitable does not mean we should not enjoy life. Life is different from death because in the former we have a choice. We can go down any path we chose like the woman chooses not to go to Church. We can also choose to go down other paths but death should not dictate our lives, instead, it should help us live better because it is beautiful in the best form.

T.S. Elliot was a modernist poet and he tried to sway his readers and help them reexamine their philosophy of life. The Hollow Men is written in the first person so that the reader is drawn into the hypocrisies in the world and can understand it closely. Death and spirituality are the main focus of this poem and how people view it. His poem lists all the things that people do wrong such as being hypocritical and not caring for others. Stevens poem talks about a woman who willingly does not go to Church after contemplating the many aspects of her Christian religion.

She knows that she has to die one day and that she would be a part of an imperishable bliss but she wishes to get there on her terms. Elliot talks about the hollow men as people who have no souls. The people that he talks about are the ones who do go to Church every Sunday but never truly obey the teachings of Christ.

He talks about the dead and uses their eyes to convey the different symbols of life. Direct eyes means that people have to battle death face to face such as on a battlefield and have been unable to prevent it. Eyes I dare not meet in dreams represent fear. The Hollow Men are the ones without a soul, the ones without feeling, and the ones who commit crimes without thinking twice. People dont feel guilty once they do something wrong and a person who has no fear is the one that should be feared the most because he is capable of doing anything. The narrator speaks of these immoral people and that he does not even want to meet them in his dreams.

When the poet leaves out the presence of eyes it represents the people who do not care. In other words, everyone has eyes except some people are blind to the things that do not benefit them. He talks about people not learning from history and repeating the same mistakes even though they know the chaos their actions cause to humanity. He uses eyes as a metaphor for the soul a human being posses since they are the windows to it.

Like the notion in Stevens poem death is inevitable and the immoral and soul-less people will die too. Towards the end of the poem, the scarecrow in the field represents Jesus on the cross and suffering for mankind. The hollow men recite prayers because it is a part of religion but they are unable to do that because they have drifted so far away from religion. They try to recite but they dont know the proper words and most have them have forgotten the prayers.

The whole poem represents all the people in the world and especially in that era who were a part of all the wars and crimes that were ongoing. He wanted to influence people and make them rethink the way they spent living and not be hollow on this inside because eventually everyone would have to die and people would be questioned about it at the Day of Judgment.

Both Stevens and Elliot hoped to present their ideas and opinions in hopes of helping people find the light and becoming good humanitarians. Both the poems revolve around the concept of death and present many ideas. Stevenss poem presents death as a beautiful thing that is made beautiful because of its inevitability. Elliots poem also recognizes that human death is inevitable that people should right their wrongs before approaching that limit.

Modernist Literature: Representatives and Techniques

The hallmarks of modernism in their work include a fragmented narrative structure, an emphasis on subjective experience and psychological insight, and a rejection of traditional forms of storytelling. Proust, for example, is known for his use of stream of consciousness in his novel In Search of Lost Time, which provides a deep dive into the protagonists thoughts and memories. Kafkas works, such as The Metamorphosis and The Trial, are characterized by their surreal and often unsettling depictions of bureaucracy and authority. Joyces Ulysses and Finnegans Wake experiment with language and narrative structure, creating a new form of storytelling that reflects the complexities of the modern world (Anderson 23). Cummings poems are known for their playful and unconventional use of language, as well as their rejection of traditional forms and meters.

The writers Proust, Kafka, Joyce, and Cummings pushed forward the modernist movement through their innovative styles and techniques, which challenged conventional forms and conventions of literature. They experimented with narrative structure, language, and form, creating new forms of artistic expression that reflected the complexities of the modern world (Anderson 13). Proust, for example, is credited with developing the stream of consciousness narrative style, which allowed for a more immersive and intimate exploration of the protagonists thoughts and feelings. This technique, which was adopted by many other modernist writers, provided a new way of understanding the human psyche and capturing the subjective experiences of the individual.

The culture of Europe, including the social and political upheavals of the time, greatly influenced these writers. The First World War, for example, had a profound impact on many modernist writers, including Joyce and Cummings, who served in the war (Anderson 24). The war and its aftermath challenged traditional beliefs and values, and inspired a new generation of artists to question established norms and conventions. The rise of psychology and psychoanalysis, represented by Freuds theories, also played a significant role in shaping modernist literature, as writers sought to delve deeper into the human psyche and explore the complexities of human experience.

I enjoyed reading the works of these writers because they offer a unique and innovative approach to storytelling and language. Their innovative styles and techniques challenge traditional forms and conventions of literature, providing new perspectives and insights into the human experience (Anderson 25). Prousts use of stream of consciousness, for example, provides a deep dive into the protagonists thoughts and feelings, offering a more immersive and intimate understanding of the character. Kafkas surreal and often unsettling depictions of bureaucracy and authority offer a unique perspective on the complexities of modern society, while Joyces experiments with language, form, and symbolism offer a new understanding of the fragmented and chaotic nature of the modern world.

Work Cited

Anderson, P. (2022). Different Speeds, Same Furies: Powell, Proust and other Literary Forms. Verso Books.

Modernism  Yeats, Eliot, and Wolf

Introduction

Literacy modernism was adopted in the early 20th century when modernist writers adopted a new form of writing. Unlike in the traditional writings where writers could narrate their messages directly to the readers, modernists brought some sense of self-consciousness and imagery in their writings (Lewis The Cambridge 39).

In the modernism literacy, readers are able to understand and involve their minds throughout the pieces of writing. Essentially, modernists worked from the perspective of earlier writers but they overturned the traditional modes of representing work into some new form of expression.

This paper will give a stringent analysis of the works of three modernist writers, Yeats, Eliot, and Wolf. Essentially, the three writers expressed their form of writing by changing the philosophical, psychological, and social thoughts of the earlier writers.

The Isle of Innisfree by William Butler Yeats

The lake Isle of Innisfree is one of Yeats most famous poems that earned him a Nobel Prize. In the poem, Yeats describes a small island where one would find peace. The small island is located far away from the busy city where people struggle to earn their living.

The narrator insists that he will arise and go, which is a clear indication that he is fed up with the daily stresses of life (Greenblatt 2391). Yeats applies a change in the philosophical approach to present his modernized poem. Essentially, reality has dawned to the narrator, and he intends to change his locality to an ideal place.

From this point of view, Yeats takes the reader through a powerful imagination of a different kind of life that would prove to be more comfortable than the current lifestyle of the narrator. Yeats brings some self-conscious into the readers mind.

The reader is conscious of the fact that whenever people live a life of agony, they tend to have some psychological torture, and thus they have the will to do anything to obtain a new lifestyle that would offer them some happiness.

Yeats poem is a clear representation of a drastic change in the psychological, physiological, and social thought in presenting literacy work. While traditional writers would present their work flatly, Yeats achieved modernism by capturing the readers minds and taking it through all the proceedings.

Sailing to Byzantium by William Butler Yeats

Yeats poem, Sailing to Byzantium, depicts the manner in which time passes and the aged individuals are disregarded in the society. The narrator clearly describes how the young individuals are powerful whereas the old individuals have no place in the country.

In his poem, Yates depicts that the world changes so rapidly, where, the things in the past and the traditional lifestyles become outdated with time. It has dawned to the narrator that there is no place for the old in the country (Greenblatt 2406).

The narrator of the poem encourages the old people to rise up and air their voices so that they cannot be ignored. There is some form of visual imagery to the readers of how the old are dreaming of being reborn as some monument that would be remembered forever.

The reader imagines of how the narrator will sail over the seas into Byzantium where he would transform into a singing bird made of gold. From the poem, it is evident that realism dawns to the people that the evolving world is embracing change, where, the old and their outdated lifestyles would be forgotten forever.

Therefore, the old people are triggered to think of some ways through which their lineage would be remembered forever. Yeats successfully draws the minds of the readers of the reality of the aging population. Indeed, modernism is achieved in his presentation that attains a self-conscious break at the end of the poem.

Traditional and Individual Talent by T.S. Eliot

Eliots essay on Traditional and individual Talent explores the works of writers. In actual sense, almost all topics in the world had been explored before, but writers ought to upgrade the old literature to formulate some new work (Greenblatt 2640).

According to Eliot, writers ought to give tribute to the earlier authors who facilitated their literacy works. Although the original writers would have died, their works remain immortal, as readers would find those works worthy to read. In other words, the reality that writers are ignoring the historical backgrounds of their literature work came to Eliots attention.

He was psychologically disturbed because of the writers who did not give tribute to the original authors of some piece of writing. Therefore, Eliot insists that contemporary authors should not repeat the ideas in researches that were previously done, and his social thought achieves modernism.

The writers should struggle to come up with some original ideas, but they should not ignore the efforts of previous researchers, and neither should they replicate the works of previous researchers and writers.

Essentially, modernism literacy encourages writers to research about the past literature to form a comparative basis of the contemporary world. Therefore, the efforts of combining tradition and modernity will influence the writers perspective and give a great overview of the future.

The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock by T.S. Eliot

Eliots poem introduces the readers to a prototypical modern man who is overeducated and silted emotionally. In spite of the eloquent expression, the modern mans psyche is tortured in the modern city. This is an ironical beginning that would draw the readers conscious of why the educated man is silted emotionally (Greenblatt 2612).

In the poem, Prufrock appears to be speaking to a potential lover. However, the overeducated man knows too much such that he hesitates to approach his potential lover. Prufrock comes across a social gathering of women, and through his conscious, his mind conveys to him that the women are commenting about his inadequacies.

J. Alfred Prufrock rebukes himself for having presumed that he would have an emotional interaction with a woman. Eliot is a modernist writer who describes the weakened psychological human state of the twentieth century. This very insinuating scenario would draw the minds of the readers to think of the contemporary world.

After a critical analysis of the house in which the women are gathered, Prufrock notes that the First World War fractured and alienated the world, however, a time will come when people will be able to do many things in the social world.

In the poem, Eliots is able to draw the conscious of the readers to imagine of the outlook of the tortured world after the First World War.

To The Light House by Virginia Woolf

In her literacy work, Woolf explores the internal thoughts of two characters, Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey. Mr. Ramsey is an intellect, whereas, Mrs. Ramsey is an emotional woman. The two characters depend on one another, but they are aware of the transient world. Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey have the philosophical knowledge that nothing in the world will last forever.

With the awareness of the passage of time, Mrs. Ramsey purposes to live a precious life on earth. In fact, Mr. Ramsey is certain that even the everlasting works of Shakespeare will eventually become void. This fact brings some form of visual imagery to the readers of the reality of transient world.

Ramsey is frustrated by the fact that he will die, and his body will rot. From this point of view, Mr. Ramsey is envious of the geniuses that will live longer than he will, and he is inspired to establish a desirable philosophy.

In his ironical philosophy, Mr. Ramsey argues that an unadorned man has a better position in the world than an immortal writer does. At this point, the readers self-conscious is drawn, as one cannot imagine why Mr. Ramsey would envy the lifestyle of the unadorned man.

Woolf uses the Whitehouse as a symbol of the destinations that people are sure of, yet they have to struggle before reaching those destinations. The Whitehouse is a modernists representation of some good life. Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey are conscious of the passage of time, and they want to make the best of the time they live on earth.

Therefore, as much as there is some light at the end of the tunnel, the readers obtain some conscious that they must use their brains and employ some form of social thought before reaching their desired destinations. Certainly, Woolf achieved the modernists level of presenting her work.

Conclusion

From the discussions, it is evident that changes in the philosophical, psychological, and social thought of humankind lead to literacy modernism.

Psychological changes stimulated the mentality of the writers, whereas, philosophical changes stimulated the writers to employ some form of reality and self-conscious instances in their writing (Lewis Modernist Writing 697).

Lastly, the thought of a social change influenced the writers to embrace change, and they presented their work in a modernized manner.

Works Cited

Greenblatt, Stephen. The Norton Anthology English Literature. 9th ed. 2012. New York, NY: W. W. Norton & Company. Print.

Lewis, Pericles. The Cambridge Introduction to Modernism. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2007. Print.

. Modernist Writing and Reactionary Politics. Modernism/modernity 8.4 (2001): 696-698. Print.

Virginia Woolf and Modernism

A Room of Ones Own

In chapter 3 of A Room of Ones Own, Woolf begins by turning to history in an attempt to find information on the relationship between women and literature, however, she fails and employs fiction to tell her story. The lack of actual historical information is a testament to the treatment accorded to women in the 16th century and this is an element of modernity that Woolf uses; the oppression of women in the Elizabethan age.

Woolf finds very little historical material on the legal rights of women in the said period and despite this, she gives her readers a detailed analysis of the opposing roles to which a woman living in the 16th century encountered, and which have been erased by modernity. She accomplishes this by pooling together the little historical material available and merging it with fictional works. She asserts that chauvinist assumptions would have been internalized, proving that oppression of this form comes from both internal and external factors. Woolf writes It would have been impossible, completely and entirely, for any woman to have written the plays of Shakespeare in the age of Shakespeare. (Woolf, chapt. 3).

To illustrate her point on the oppression of women, Woolf uses an imaginary person known as Judith Shakespeare, William Shakespeares brother. Judith is as talented, possibly as her brother, but gets very little education. Even though she is her fathers favorite child, her family expects her to follow the conventional culture that leaves her with little space to develop her talent. The quest to follow her passion finally sees her run from home and her attempts to go into acting are met with negativity and scorn. A theater manager takes her in but impregnates her and she eventually kills herself.

Judith Shakespeares life is a generalization of the life of a woman with Shakespeares ability at the time, these have however changed, thanks to modernity.

Three Pictures and The Fascination of the Pool

Woolf further promotes the theme of modernism in The Three Pictures through the concept that one of the goals of modernism is to open our minds to newer ways of viewing the world. She writes that although we can see pictures from the words that they create, these same pictures can deceive us. She cautions us from the beginning that we are walking on a risky ground for it is unavoidable that we can be quite wrong in our interpretation of pictures (Woolf, para. 1). The first picture captivates our mind and generates joyful thoughts, the second, accompanied by an unexplained shriek, interrupts the harmony and compels us to doubt our judgment and we start to question whether the beauty that we seek to take in and comprehend is just superficial. We fool ourselves and believe it is far more likely that this calm and content and goodwill lay beneath the surface than anything treacherous, sinister (Woolf, para. 9). Woolf informs us that beauty is not necessarily found in that which looks beautiful.

In The Fascination of the Pool, Woolf expresses the sense of modernity in the same context as stated above, i.e. that of opening our minds to newer ways of viewing the world. She gives us a view of the world further than the pool, the water in the pool represents the mind for it is not an inactive reflector of the world but obtains its identity from the reflecting surface. She writes Many, many people must have come there alone, from time to time, from age to age, dropping their thoughts into the water, asking it some question, as one did oneself this summer evening. (Woolf, para. 4). This illustrates the pool as the inheritor of ages of thoughts from many voices which, changed in this pool, function ironically in a realm aspect beyond our understanding.

Conclusion

From Woolfs works, I learned a couple of fresh ideas of looking at life. For example, from The Three Pictures, we should not give meaning to the things in this world at face value for there is always a hidden, deeper meaning attached that we can only understand once we open up our minds to new ideas.

Works Cited

Woolf, Virginia. A Room of Ones Own. New York: Harcourt Inc., 1929.

Woolf, Virginia. The Fascination of the Pool. New York: Harcourt Inc., 1985.

Woolf, Virginia. The Three Pictures. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1989.

Postmodern Architecture vs. International Modernism

Introduction

Architecture is seen today as an important part of the International Modern style of buildings. It is recognized through the flat roofs and large areas of glazing. Comparing postmodern architecture to the international modern style of architecture would require the determination of important details to better understand the two. Post-modern architecture is generally viewed as a style taken from the 1950s and constantly evolves up to the contemporary world of architecture. It depicts wit, ornament, and reference to architecture to deal with the International Style of Modernism (Klotz, 1998). For many cultural movements, postmodernism is largely visible in the form of architectural designs. The elements of architectural designs are influenced by the new ways of looking into the familiar styles and spaces that abound. The standard examples of modern architecture are those masterpieces such as the Seagram building and the works of Le Corbusier. A transitional example of postmodern architecture is the Sony Building made by Philip Johnson that is originally based on the past architectural elements and defines a new style through the application of color and symbolisms (Hitchcock & Johnson (1997).

In addition, postmodern architecture has been referred to as neo-eclectic were in the reference and pattern has returned to the pretense that substitutes the plain styles in the present era. This kind of eclecticism is usually combined with the use of non-orthogonal angles and atypical surfaces such as the State Gallery of Stuttgart and the Piazza dItalia made by Charles Williard Moore (Jarzombek, 1999).

Architects in modern times treat postmodern buildings as blatant and chaotic in some forms. The postmodern architects usually thought of the modern spaces as inexpressive and ordinary. The differences in opinions cater to various perspectives and goals. How modernism differs from postmodernism is that modernism originated in less and real utilization of the materials like the dearth of designs while postmodernism is a negative response of strict rules that are set by the untimely modernists and looks for liveliness in the use of building methods, angles, and references on style (Klotz, 1998).

Discussion

It is overtly defined through the modern creations that postmodernism relates to the ideas of the architects through the designs where arts and styles are explored in a manner that somehow differs from the standards of modernism perspectives (Klotz, 1998). On the other hand, the International style is the major architectural style of the past years. It is normal for the buildings and architects of the influential eras of Modernism. This specifically occurred before the times of the Second World War. The characterization of Hitchcock and Johnson of the modern architecture appeared to have an extensive characteristic which is common to the Modernism sense worldwide. The idea is central to the styles of modernism which has something to do with the style of the time and would sum up modern architecture. Ideas are determined through the prevailing concepts that the expression of volume is altered instead of mass, balance instead of the predetermined symmetry, and the discharge of applied decorations or designs (Jarzombek, 1999).

The relationship of architecture in postmodernism greatly affects the designs and styles that are seen on the buildings today. The emergence of the 20th century made some of the architects avert from modern functionalism that is regarded as dull and almost considered uninteresting. The architects who agree with this perspective turned toward the past and highlighted the past aspects of different buildings and mixing them to create a new way of designing the buildings. A clear example of the new concept of postmodernism is that it is seen as the return of the pillars and other essential elements of the pre-modern designs. Sometimes it is regarded as settling into the classical Greek and Roman examples but not necessarily recreating those designs (Klotz, 1998).

In modernism, the support as a feature design is positioned by technological methods such as cantilevers or covered by curtains. The stimulation of the pillar is an aesthetic need though instead of using the technological methods. The high-rise buildings of the modernist more likely became monolithic which disregards the idea of a mass of different design elements for a particular vocabulary (Jarzombek, 1999). Also, this is seen to be the most tremendous case that used a smooth design with the suggestions of the probability of a single metallic extrusion from the ground through the elimination of visual horizontal elements such as the World Trade Center buildings of Minoru Yamasaki.

Postmodern structures are usually achieved through striking the contradicting points of the previous styles of buildings with each other as well as integrating furniture stylistic references on a larger scale. In addition, contextualism which is a way of thinking in the later parts of the 20th century broadly affects the concepts of postmodernism. It is focused on the idea that all knowledge is context-sensitive. This is considered to say that knowledge is not able to be understood without the recognition of the main context (Klotz, 1998).

As a comparison to the concept of postmodernism, the International modern style somehow differs because of its development through graphical and architectural sense by artists and maintains an identifiable, simple, and efficient style. Illustrations of an international modern style depict unembellished flat and curved walls, roofs, and floors. The curve presents a functional design for the building and maintains its simplicity though some obstacles are seen on the design. Difficulties are encountered for considering the basic concepts of International Style which are sheerness, flatness, plainness, unornamented, and smoothness. This may be viewed as simple but tough weathering and maintenance should be considered to achieve the said design because perfect geometry forms should appear (Tournikiotis, 1999).

Defining the examples of the International style applies to some famous sights in the world. Flat walls, roofs, and square corners match the natural beauty of the environment because of its simplicity and its plainness. The idea of Le Corbusier depicts that buildings are machines for living because of the purpose of the concepts of style. As preset parts function effectively in a machine, the human workers should then be able to function properly in a building. The capability of achieving tasks easily is a good point however peoples idea of the innovation regarding technology as a machine is somehow disappointing. Sometimes the time of development can overlook the feelings of a person. International style is indeed not about feelings but science and purpose (Hitchcock & Johnson (1997).

The purpose of International Modern Style appears to be vital for different places but it started in Germany. The needs and demands of people initiate art. The International Modern style buildings are shown in the early post-war era through the forms of big industrial-sized buildings. The designers seek great functionality in creating styles that suits the character of time though there is a limited international agreement on what does it depicts.

Modernism is a complete and revolutionary perspective and philosophy. It rejects the decorative themes that do not significantly contribute to the functionality of a building. Before, arts and designs had never come to a point of the mechanical senses and were put into details. It is said that the industrial revolution gave a form of art according to its principles such as simplicity, reproducibility, and modularity (Tournikiotis, 1999). De Stijls art is also one of the examples of modernism. De Stijl uses planes and a distinctly modern style hairline grid for the patterns of a building. Compared to the earlier styles, the International Modern Graphic design is regarded as having integration of art and science for the combination of formulas and mathematical concepts. From arts that are seen on the wall to the designs of the buildings, it proves that small details are vital for each others lives (Hitchcock & Johnson (1997).

The International Style of modernism is viewed to be a minimalist form of art. It is not merely in the sense of minimalism though and the International style does not possess a decorative detail wherein geometrical figures are focused and expressed in a functional form. With the perspectives of minimalism, international style is distinct for describing art more clearly. The term as it prevails may mean an international standard for the designs and art for architecture but it varies depending on the country. A distinct style should be made accordingly based on the artists style and sense. The ideals should be the same but the completion of the final design will make the masterpiece unique and most likely to be related to other designs (Jarzombek, 1999).

Conclusion

The comparison between postmodernism and the International Style for modernism falls under the main elements of architectural designs that have something to do with the total visualization of the buildings. Postmodernism possesses intricacy for the designs used for a structure while the International Style for modernism largely accounts for its basic principle of simplicity and plainness with the consideration of its functionality. Late modernism showed the popularity through the International modern style and it had been justified through commercialization over the years of development and impacted many structures. As the stage of modernism continues, the ascending desire for more creative designs is approaching the eyes of the people and expect more from the designers. A more creative distinction of the type of arrangement and size develops over time which makes designs varied. The use of the International Modern style is widely seen today among buildings and other infrastructures. Buildings, books, and other modern style are used in accord to the daily lives of people and is present anywhere. Postmodernism style in architecture though is still used today but few numbers of designs seem to be visible as people embrace the new style of modernism.

The development of art through the form of many media creates an overt and universal style which is apparent to the International Modern Style. With the line of its progress, the graphical and architectural styles have met diversity but still maintain its simplicity and functionality.

References

Hitchcock, H.R. & Johnson, P. (1997). The International Style. W. W. Norton & Company.

Jarzombek, M. (1999). The Disciplinary Dislocations of Architectural History, Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians, 58/3, p. 489.

Klotz, H. (1998). History of Post-Modern Architecture, Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

Tournikiotis, P. (1999). The Historiography of Modern Architecture. MIT Press.

Researching Modernity and Modernism

Summary

Christopher Crounch, defined modernity as a period in the history of mankind that shows a transition of their life from traditional agricultural practices to the industrial revolution, through individualism way of living and finally, whereby a state achieves economic stability. It basically shows the changes in terms of intelligence and cultural practices. In modernity, as Hall Stuart noted, some aspects of culture were done away with, while others were basically improved resulting in a complete change in lifestyle. Modernism on the other hand refers to the practice of modern culture or western culture. Richard Weston further noted that basically, these modern practices revolve around religion and arts. Modernism according to Houston Baker was brought about by the changing economic status and the industrial revolution. Modernity is closely related to modernism but there is a difference. While modernity describes the relationship between the past and the present in terms of the time differences, modernism describes the change in the actual activities and shows the final outcome.

The difference between modernity and modernism

Modernity is also an acronym of modern society. Hall Stuart explained further that it shows the peoples perception as far as the world is concerned and the changes in need of being done through the intervention of people. It also describes the state of the economy with reference to the present status of industries and the market. It also shows the political transition. Therefore, according to Houston Baker, modernity shows dynamism in terms of politics, culture and the economy where it so much entails reflection on the past. It is associated with enlightening mankind hence alleviating ignorance and the attitude of irrational thinking. It should be noted that modernity is not the same as westernization this is because westernization has to do with the actual adoption of the culture of the western. In the artistic field, Modernity in view of Hall Stuart is also the act of innovation. This is because, the artists, invent some changes that are perceived to be better than the existing ones through their innovative power. Modernity, also according to Hall Stuart, deals with the things which are physically visible by human beings. For example, increase in production and transportation of goods and people as well as the spread or transfer of information, the spread of new technologies like means of transport and the emergence of new ways of production like specialization and division of labor.

According to Weston Richard, Modernism, on the other hand, is the actual practice of the modern ways. It entails identification of the outdated and non-profitable practices in terms of economic, cultural, industrial production and political output, then doing away with them and embracing new ways of doing things. It is basically involved in questioning the ways, beliefs and lifestyles of old age. It entails real experimentation so as to come up with the difference. It is associated with the process of challenging false ways of thinking and perceiving things. It recognizes that the world is very dynamic and old ways of doing things are no longer relevant hence seeking to bring changes. It is associated with giving human beings the power to change, denounce, and create some ways of doing things with an aim of creating a better environment to live in. It is the process through which any societys progress in terms of economic, industrialization, political and religion can be measured. Hall Stuart also urges that it is the aspect of embracing new technologies.

Art Deco

Bevis Hillier describes Art Deco as a movement that existed between the early 1920s and late 1930s dealing with decorative art designs like architecture, industrial designs, interior and exterior designs among others, fashions, film technology and painting technology among others. It was actually very popular due to its fantastic and attractive outcome and entailed so many types of styles. The popularity of this movement started with the Europeans than the Americans. As a decorative movement, it was purely started for the purposes of decorations and not for political or other agendas. According to Christopher Crounch, Art Deco is based on geometrical shapes of mathematics like cubes, trapezium, zigzag, jumble and geometry. Therefore, it is very much associated with modernism and it is from this Art Deco that many other modern designs were birthed. Its popularity in the 1920s was due to the great works of archeology that were taking place at that time. It was the movement that gave birth to technologies like electricity, aviation technology and radio production.

Bevis Hillier noted that it is associated with the designs found in building erected during the era of the First World War as well as cinema halls at that particular time. It was also applied in the construction of railway stations in the United States of America, especially in the late 1920s. It mainly incorporated 2 styles namely the motif and different types of ornaments. The design uses a range of well-known materials like steel, aluminum and wood. Some other materials known to be used include skins from zebras and sharkskin.

Bevis Hillier also noted that art deco was very popular in designing products like cars, furniture, watches, ashtrays, lamps and a wide range of jewelry. It should be noted that Art Deco did not lose its popularity after 1930, in an actual sense it remained still very popular in the designs of decorating houses as well as offices. Due to emerging new ideas and also creativity, artists modernized the ideas as it was noted by Christopher Crounch in his work. It was not a modern idea but it was later improved in the modern world.

Bibliography

Crouch, C, Modernism in Art Design and Architecture. St. Martins Press, New York, 2000, p. 47

Hillier, B, The World of Art Deco. E.P. Dutton & Co. Inc., New York, 1971, p. 28

Houston, B, Modernism and the Harlem Renaissance. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 1987 p. 53

Stuart, H, Modernity. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 1996, p. 19

Weston R, Modernism. Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1996, p. 74

F. Scott Fitzgerald Modernism

“So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.” This is the final quote from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. The quote fits perfectly with the book as Gatsby tried to recreate his past by getting with his past lover Daisy. Nothing could stop this man from letting his past go. It is the same in society today. The challenging and banning of books is an ancient technique used to suppress knowledge from citizens. This book is being read in high schools all around the country, yet it still gets challenged every year on the grounds of sexuality and profanity (Smith).

F. Scott Fitzgerald was best known as a modernist fiction writer. He was from the “Jazz Age” a term he helped popularize to describe the era after World War I. He rose to fame at the age of 23 when he published This Side of Paradise in 1920. Fitzgerald published his two most known novels following the success of the aforementioned novel. He published The Great Gatsby five years later in 1925, and followed with Tender is the Night nine years later in 1934. All of these novels are keystones in the genre of modernist fiction. The Roaring Twenties started to come to an end, and the Great Depression started to begin. This crushed the rise of Fitzgerald. He went through a decade of alcoholism, and financial problems and his wife became sick. Fitzgerald died in 1940 thinking he was an absolute failure. Fitzgerald always suffered a lifelong inferiority complex. He would always talk about how he “ Talked to the authority of failure.” He never had a great reception from the critics of his time either. “Early critics tended to dismiss him as a “facile” writer” (Fitzgerald Society). He often times wrote in a style of writing critics called Dual Perspective. This means instead of focusing on condemning or praising a certain topic, it allows the reader to experience both sides. It was only after his death that he started to get recognized for his works (Fitzgerald Society).

“The Great Gatsby” is an ultra-modernist novel which was written by American Scott Fitzgerald. The book is a symbolic reflection of what happened in the United States, especially on the collapse of the American dream on aspects of materialism and wealth (Joucla & Fitzgerald 2012). The two elements discussed in the novel relate to the West and East, each with different connotations and people living in each part. The two small islands East and West Eggs, are identical in terms of contours but different in many ways. The two pieces are different in terms of people living where the West egg represents old money, and people living in this part inherited their fortune. On the same note, they look down upon the poor living in the Eastern egg. In return, those in the East egg participate in organized crimes and Hollywood to earn their fortunes. Therefore, both parts (eggs) are characterized in different ways whereas those living in the West have been regarded to be fair, sophisticated, and relatively innocent/naïve. Those in the East were characterized as corrupt and greedy. For example, West egg is less fashionable, and this is where Bick and Gatsby love. On the contrary, East egg is regarded to be fashionably characterized by white palaces where Tom and Daisy live their comfortable and carefree lives. The color white is symbolic to indicate that things could be pure and innocent, but corruption lies on the inside of the Oikos.

The aspect of social class is depicted in the novel representing two different people with money and those without money. The bay between the two small islands represents the difference between the wealthy and poor social classes in the community which may not meet due to the difference in their social standards (Cameron 2008). However, when others join the other, for instance, the poor working for the rich, they are manipulated using excessive force for them to meet the standards of the wealthy. In this case, Easterners, who moved to the West egg, have taken their mannerisms with them in their new life in the West. Gatsby is an excellent example of this novel. Another symbolic aspect in the Valley of the Ashes represents social and moral decay in society due to the unconstrained search for resources and wealth. In this case, the rich treat themselves to be of a high standard and consider their pleasure as of great importance more than anything else in the community. The valley is a colorless and desolate area because it is a dumping site for the ashes, and the parties present in this area are noisy and drunken compared to the parties in the West. They are relaxed and silent while enjoying their pleasure.

Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby did not receive much attention when originally released until after Fitzgerald’s death when reprints in 1945 and 1953 became very popular. Today it is considered one of the “Great American Novels” and a literary classic (Baldassarre). “The Great Gatsby is considered Fitzgerald’s crowning achievement because of its stylistic and structural concision” (Fitzgerald Society). The Great Gatsby is set in the 1920s right after the first world war and right in the middle of the Roaring Twenties. The book is about Nick Carraway and his new life in New York. Nick moves into a modest house in the midst of a neighborhood full of way richer people. Nick helps his mysterious neighbor, Jay Gatsby, in his quest to win back his past lover Daisy Buchanan (Fitzgerald Society). Jay Gatsby, with his fortune built from bootlegging, would throw huge house parties in hopes that someday Daisy would come. Nick ends up setting up a meeting with Gatsby and Daisy. They go on from there in a terrible showcase of love and selfishness. The story never glorifies being rich and lavish. It does the opposite. It shows the troubled lives of everyone living in their once dreamed-of mirages. The facade that being rich makes one happy gets torn to shreds. It really gives high school students a reality check that being rich will not make a person entirely happy. It shows one has to have love and real friends to actually be satisfied in life (Garrity). This book contains a wide variety of immoral activities, mainly extramarital affairs. It does not glorify these activities either. The characters get punished for all of their wrongdoings. These affairs are a great metaphor for the wasteful and reckless lifestyles of the characters. Fitzgerald makes sure to show how miserable how all the rich and powerful really are. These are the ones who looked down upon those who lived in the “valley of ashes”. This is one of the underlying themes of this story. This book is not all about how powerful the rich are, it also shows the side of the story that no one wants to hear. Those who did not have the money and time to spend partying. Those who were struggling to earn an honest living rebuilding the country after the ravages of the first world war. All while living in a society that turned a blind eye to them in their pursuit of earning money and power (Smith).

The censorship of books has been used repeatedly in history. This practice allows the government, businesses, and corporations to control what they want the population to read, and not read. “Book banning is the most widespread censorship in America” (Webb). Censorship violates the First Amendment’s right to freedom of speech; “however some limitations are constitutionally permissible”(Webb). For example, they can not challenge books by generally accepted authors such as Mark Twain (Webb). “We read to understand and express ourselves, to connect with our humanity, to understand our rights, and learn better ways of protecting our constitutional freedoms” (Braden). Taking away someone’s right to read is just as bad as whatever content is in the book that is being censored. It takes away the joy of learning. The joy of discovering new worlds, all for the sake of being offended by something somewhat controversial.

The Great Gatsby is one of the more commonly challenged books, “coming in at top of the American Library Association’s list of banned and challenged classics” (Baldassaro). This is a book that is a requirement to read in high school, and yet it still gets challenged on the basis of sexuality and profanity every year. In fact, a majority of copies that are in schools have actually been modified to make them “more acceptable for high school readers”. The language in the book is actually quite tame. Even the sexual references are nothing to make such a huge deal over (Baldassaro). Many groups of people, religious groups in particular, also opposed to the booze and partying that occurred during the novel. Nearly all of these reasons to challenge/ban the book are crucial aspects of the story. This amazing novel that portrays the American dream in a negative light by describing those who gain great wealth and fame, but still lack happiness. Yet those who censor do not want to hear about that. All they care about is keeping the “innocence” of those who read it. One of the other main reasons for banning is one that has recently popped up in universities all around the globe. “It involves professors having to put “trigger warnings” alerts about things in something they teach that might elicit strong emotions” (Reville). Students are saying The Great Gatsby portrays misogyny and physical abuse; So now students who had been exposed to domestic violence can avoid this book whenever a “trigger warning” is placed on it. “The problem with this is that being shielded from everything that might disturb you is completely opposed to basic psychology” (Reville). The best way to avoid your fears is to confront them, not completely avoid them. Another problem with this is that the proper goal of a university is to educate students on ideas that are foreign to them. This process is completely changed whenever these foreign views are optional or even completely banned. Aristotle, known as the father of modern philosophy, once said “It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it” (Reville).

The Great Gatsby has never been formally banned. Despite this, the book is always prominently featured on top of the American Library Association list of most challenged books. “The most serious challenge The Great Gatsby has ever had happened in 1987 at the Baptist college in Charleston, South Carolina” (Lombardi). They challenged the book because of “language and sexual references” in the book. This book does have infidelities, but nothing near as vulgar or oppressive enough to justify banning a great novel. “In the same year, officials from the Bay County school district in Pensacola, Florida unsuccessfully tried to ban 64 books, and one of those being The Great Gatsby” (Lombardi). The officials’ statement for the challenge was because it contained “a lot of vulgarity” as well as curse words (Lombardi). None of these challenges went through to successfully ban the book for very good reasons. The Great Gatsby is a true-to-life story that some just do not want to stomach. There is no good reason to take this book off the shelves of schools.

Those who challenged The Great Gatsby have no firm grasp on what is right and what truly is wrong. They live in their own bubble thinking they know what is best for their society. Yes, the book does contain sexuality and profanity. Fitzgerald had a gift with language and he chose words and actions for his characters very carefully. Anyone arguing that the book should be banned on the grounds of profanity is missing the point that it is included for character design (Smith). This book shows the history of the 1920s put into a literary drama. “You can’t paint an accurate picture of the time period by only discussing the good parts” (Baldassarro). Those who keep attempting to challenge the book are ironically just like Jay Gatsby. Borne into the past. Motivated by their own selfish ways, only to end up getting nowhere.

Modernism vs Romanticism

Romanticism can be defined as a type of reaction alongside age that involves logical decision-making and reasoning. Romanticism as an ideology is comprised of three main themes which include human emotions, the love of nature, as well as the belief in the supernatural. The concept of romanticism involves strong emotions, a festivity of the individual, curiosity of the normal man as well as babyhood, the admiration of nature as well as imagination (Furst and Lilian).

Romanticism’s historical creation first originated back in the second half of the eighteenth century in Europe. This was defined as the romantic era or period. At this time romanticism was termed to be a literary, artistic, and intellectual movement. Romanticism gained strength firstly in response to industrial 1. Back in the 18th century, romanticism was a type of movement which swept both Russia and Western Europe. At the beginning of the nineteenth century, romanticism expanded to North America. It drew a lot of energy and inspiration from various areas and sources as a movement. These sources included increasing fatigue with “rule by the few”, the “rage for roots” which was activated by language discoveries, the resounding victory of both American and French revolts and far ahead widespread wars fighting for liberation, and also a rising sense which the inventive potentials inherent to the firm type of formalism for the enlighten philosophy, as well as art, had been exhausted. Romanticism has four different basic tenets. These tenets include humankind which is inherently good which follows the fact that if Mother Nature is good, all human being and their natural environment and state will also be good definitely.

Another tenet of romanticism states that nature is good. Many romantic poets like Wordsworth supposed that initially, nature was pure but later it was corrupted by the civilization of many human beings (Duff and David p.25). Many other romantic poets believed redeeming spirituality and God might be set up in nature. Numerous poems explain the prettiness of Mother Nature as well as the peace, harmony as well as solace found in nature that it brings to the human soul. In addition, other tenets of romanticism state that both simplicity and imagination are good. The ideological expectation of romanticism includes realism, love, happiness, sadness, ambitions, power, fear as well as struggle. The ideology of romanticism has had a great influence both on the participation and expectations in romantic relationships in many different ways. Some of these ways include the idea of being real with myself when choosing a partner for a romantic relationship. I would consider going for a partner whom I see the capabilities of them becoming a perfect match or a perfect lover for my life rather than a person who may not match me and my character perfectly.

The basics of many romantic relationships are based on someone’s feelings toward the opposite gender whom they are interested in a romantic relationship. According to the tenets of the ideology of romanticism, I agree with the tenet that states that nature is good and had purity before it was corrupted by the civilization of human beings. This is because God created nature and put all that mankind deserved and wanted to be satisfied and live in it peacefully and happily. Man had to make full use of what God provided and this favored their romanticism and their relationships with their partners. The beauty of nature is also another factor that favors romanticism and romantic relationships specifically. I also agree with the romanticism tenet which states that humankind is inherently good. The goodness of people is based on the condition of nature. Nature directly influences the goodness of people. In other words, if nature is good romantic relationships are highly favored.

Modernism popped up as a philosophical movement, describing involved realism, romanticism, and renaissance beliefs in previous eras. Modernism also became popular in art and architecture designs during the 1940s to 1980s. Modern is a broad design term that typically refers to home design during the 20th century, modern style is presented in smooth, crisp lines such as geometric shapes, and natural elements but also included man-made materials with a simple color palette.

As far as the factors that shaped modernism are concerned, there was the expansion in modern industrial societies that created rapid growth for the cities but unfortunately caught up with the arrival of World War I. Modernism was formed on an idealistic vision of human life and society and a belief in progress to move forward, by it expressed religion or science that explains reality. Modernism emerged in society such as art pieces (Ben Nicholson OM), with straight lines that highlighted its elegance.

“Modernism released us from the constraints of everything that had gone before with a euphoric sense of freedom.”- Arthur Erickson. Multiple authors and artists began to question the reality of things through literature and art. Modernism was the breakthrough through the traditional norms. It changed the way multiple things were viewed such as science, arts, politics, and life itself. We would be analyzing the history, origins in art, characteristics of a modernist novel, notable authors of the era, and the chain reaction that started off postmodernism.

The beginning of modernism began in the late 19th century and continued on to the beginning of the 20th. It was during a time of contumacy among authors. They were set on the concept that everything being fed to them was nothing but pure lies. So they decided to write what they interpreted as their own sole reality. These accusations of lies were believed because of World War I and its savagery. During this period of time, World War I became known as one of the deadliest battles to ever be seen in society. The War introduced many levels of change that no one had ever seen before, such as destruction and massacres all over the world. Also, the technology used was new to society thus making them question if everything they were being told was true, and to them, it was not. It proposes a new meaning to what death itself meant. By the end of the war, society faced the aftermath of its wrecking impairment. The repercussion of the war was drastic, where more than 16 million people were killed and murdered in the process of it. Due to these deaths, modernism took over the literature world.

Although to be presumed to have been greatly influenced by the war. The modernism era actually began year priors in the 1800”s. Modernism is described as an innovation alluding to a worldwide development in the aspect of literature and culture that arose from the early years of the twentieth century. It looked for another way of seeing the reality of things with the experience and estimations of present-day life. Expanding on late nineteenth-century points of reference, specialists around the globe utilized new symbolism, materials, and methods to make works of art that they felt better mirrored the substances and any desires for present-day social orders. Some great artists of the 1880’s modernist era include Édouard Manet, who painted abstract paintings including nude humans, such as Le Déjeuner sur l’herbe and Olympia. Many people oppose these exposed paintings due to the nudity, They saw it as something from outside the norms. The reason for the painting was to uncover another dimension of comprehension and acceptance in art never seen before.

Alienation in Modernist Short Stories and Poems

In modernist texts, different writers treat the theme of alienation differently in their works based on the conditions and the situations they are expressing in the works. As the paper unfolds, the treatment of the theme of alienation as per different writers will be looked into to establish whether there exists a common denominator in the treatment of the works or not. Allen Ginsberg has his format of addressing the theme in his story ‘Howl’.

Ginsberg addresses the desperation and the alienation felt by the Americans by the mechanization and the intellectual conformity that the authorities thought the American society demanded. In the second part of the poem, Ginsberg introduces the god character Moloch to who powerful people sacrificed children to satisfy their desires to remain in power. In a more personal tribute, he seeks to bring about a balance in the poem in part III (Ginsberg 34). The form of alienation displayed here introduces the sense of rebellion to end the state. Frost’s story ‘Mending Wall’ presents its style of handling the theme.

Frost’s “Mending Wall” gives an insight into the alienation that a person welcomes him/herself when he or she introduces barriers. These barriers exclude other people and make the ‘neighbor’ aloof as he or she insists on keeping the barrier.

The separation that the neighbor introduces between him and the narrator portrays the nature of self-inflicted alienation. A person puts up barriers, which to him seem intended to maintain a good relationship between them and the neighbors. The neighbor argues that ‘A good fence makes a good neighbor’ (Frost lines 10 and 34). The narrator sarcastically evaluates the reason behind his neighbor maintaining the importance of a wall between them.

Paul in Willa Cather’s story is alienated as a child since he is motherless. He sets out to seek meaning in life that is different from the treatment he gets from his father and the yellow wallpaper in his room. He has a disinterest in school stems from his alienation as a child. This alienation is characteristic of the modernist portrayal of desperation as Paul gets unusual attention at school and never gets any attention from his father at home. It is his attitude towards schools that portrays the boy’s sense of alienation (Cather 34). Robinson further presents the theme of alienation in his story ‘Mr. Flood’s Party’.

Eben in “Mr. Flood’s Party” is friendless and isolated for most of his life. Despite having lived for long and witnessed many changes, his life seems filled with a sense of alienation. He compares his life cycle with that harvested crops that are of use when they end their cycle (Robinson lines 1-24). He has lived the last autumn stage of his long life and yet he is of no use to anyone not to even himself. He leads a desperately lonely life to the extent that he even talks to himself. This alienation is characteristic of the disillusionment portrayed in most modernist texts. The ‘Love Song of Alfred Prufrock’ by Eliot portrays further the subject of alienation.

The dramatic monologue centers on the narration of an insecure intermediary who leads a mediocre life for the fear of taking risks especially when it comes to issues related to women. Prufrock alienates himself with his manhood due to his fear of taking risks (Eliot Lines 1-4). The juxtaposition of this lyricism in the narration that elaborates the alienation is characteristic of the modernist texts.

Based on the evident similarity in which the different writers address the theme, it suffices to declare it possible to come up with an effective way that adequately looks at the theme. The theme of alienation cuts across all works by modernist writers. The treatment of the theme in the literary works portrays the thematic concerns inspired by desperation, loneliness, and aimed at portraying human life as filled with these characteristics.

Considering how modernist texts treat the theme of alienation, it is clear that modernism has a particular way of treating alienation through the portrayal of alienated characters struggling with their situations. Therefore, given a chance to address the subject of alienation, my thesis statement would declare alienation as a situation dominated by struggles in the lives of the affected.

Works Cited

Cather, Willa. Paul’s Case: American Short Story Collection. New York: Kessinger Publishing, 2005.

Eliot, Tony. The Love Song of Albert Prufrock: An Anthology of Modern Poetry. London: Oxford University Press, 1990.

Frost, Robert. Mending wall: Modern Poetics and the Landscapes of Self. 1975 New York: Duke University Press, 1975.

Ginsberg, Allen. Howl: Howl and Other Poems by Ginsberg. New York: Harper Perennial, 2005.

Robinson, Arlington. Mr. Flood’s Party: Poems by Arlington. New York: Penguin Books, 1972.

“The Dance” by William Carol Williams: The Modernist Poem

American modernism is a constant battle between what the world is supposed to be and what people want it to be. The novelty lies in struggling for what life is worth, and defending the rights people are given at birth.

There cannot be anything more sincere, genuine and causing more debates than American poetry. With not quite many years of development, tracing back, perhaps, to Longfellow, and continuing up to the modern poets, it still had very little time to grow. Yet what we can see now is a flourishing valley. In my opinion, that is something that grants America certain appreciation and regard.

Yet the stages of its development manage to coincide with the ones of European poetry, not dubbing it, but creating something completely new and genuine, full of truly American spirit and understanding of the poetic world.

Coming a little closer to the topic under discussion, I would like you to pay special attention to the poem by William Carol Williams named The Dance. It is a commonly known truth that the impact of Europe has played its great role in the American poetry concept. That was quite understandable, for, being somehow a virgin population, they make out their own approach to the literature itself, understanding it and even feeling it in a different way. That is somehow due to the expressionism of the literature of this newborn country.

I wonder if you could feel this floating energy, so soft yet burning like lava. It makes the modernistic vision of the world clear as ever, pushing a man to fight everything that is unfair with all their strength. That is the most important peculiarity of this kind of poetry, which is absolutely clear and still hard to point out as you go into deep research. Is that the airiness of the subject that does not let the scientists cut it in their deeply scientific way?

It is hard to figure out where that very specific piece of heart might be. Is it the mighty influence of the metaphor? Or the way the author puts his life due to the powerful structure of the poem? Is it the style that grips the audience’s attention? Was that the roar of the inner rhythm that shook me to the core as my lips read the poetry written as if not with ink, but with the poet’s blood?

The subject is very subtle and discussion can lead to different opinions.

On the one hand the over-emotionality can cause a deadly effect on the poem and crash it to the core. Pomposity kills every single grain of life in the poem and dries it out completely. The idea of avoiding it is one of the core notions of modernism.

Still it seems that the power of the sound as the one that gives birth to the word is the one of the utmost importance. Practically, the sound is a thought put into emotions, and only then transformed into meaningful words. Now try to listen to this one: “…the Kermess, the dancers go round, they go round and round” (Booth, 783). The complexity of the sounds and images is the very detail that diverts the reader’s attention. The words rattle and rumble like rocks, and they push the reader to actions in a most modernistic manner.

Next, take a look at these abrupt lines. “Their hips and their bellies off balance” (Booth, 783). If I could paint a picture of this line, it would be a bridge between two bunks of a raving river. The two words quick and loud as gunfire, and a soft link between them. The line is a small masterpiece itself, creating an image of the modernist literature. It sounds much like a military slogan, a call to follow.

Frost insists that what poem needs most is the so-called wildness, which makes the reader feel tuned with the author’s thoughts and unwrap the secrets that the poet must have concealed in his creation. Indeed, the natural whirlwind that seizes a man and puts him into a place forgotten long ago. The modernistic viewpoint has its influence even on the poem structure.

What I just love about the poem is that it sounds sharp, like a dagger, and it cuts just as deep and at times painful. That is the idea of modernism in poetry.

The question is whether a poem has to be that “blood-thirsty”. The choice between a cozy and humming drip-dropping sound and harsh beat of a tam-tam is a matter of life and death for a poem in this case. A modernist poem must be a response to the constant “why’s” and “who’s”, a prompt and a promising clue, which pushes one into further thinking. But this push has to be a harsh and a sudden one. The Dance enters the reader’s private world like a sudden guest, annoying at first, feeling much like a splinter, but then the reader gets used to the strange sensation and starts tasting the poem for what it is, not for what it seems to be.

However, namely the combination of fierce style and the thoughtful pace of the metaphor makes the poem reach one’s heart ad soul. It shows how sad “tweedle of bagpipes” (Booth 783) can be, it turns the reader’s world upside down to show its real value. The modernistic style leads the reader to battle the unavoidable and face it like a man should.

Does a modernist poem have to “begin with delight and end with wisdom” (Frost)? I dare say that poetry is not something that would fit into frames, even so subtle and delicately suggested. “Poetic structure” as the very notion sounds to me like “lively corpse” or “old youngster”, and looks just as absurd. The poet is the structure himself, and it is him to decide which way to go. That is where modernism has crawled into and that is why the new style is so good at expressing the sharpness of the problems on the agenda.

Despite the abovementioned, the concept that Frost suggests, reminding of the measures of ideal poetry established by the ancient Greeks, has its point in making both the reader’s and the poet’s efforts way easier. Indeed, making the situation spin until it reaches its highest degree of tension and then letting it roll is a time-tested way of successful interaction with the audience. But does Williams provide it? I would say, no. Instead, he suggests something new. He allows the readers to think on their own. Leaving them without their questions answered, he seems to say, “Now let’s see if you have imagination good enough to solve this little riddle.” The figure his poem makes is a shape that one has to watch for a long time to find out what it means.

One of the aspects of American modernism is to avoid the notorious “Kicking and rolling about the Fair Grounds” (Booth 783). The writing is the arrow that has to hit its original aim. and whether this should be the heart of an average dweller or the existing political regime, the arrow must be sharp enough. It must pierce, not scratch. The words are not to sound big, but to be big.

And as you look close enough, you will see that this shape is beautiful and complete, like the wings of a butterfly. It needs examinations and research no longer, for it has served its purpose to fill the world with beauty and grace. A bugle and feedles have been tipping their bellies long enough, and now the time has come to let the Kermess get rid of all the mess it has, for the poetry no longer needs the crutches to walk on. It has become complete. Its modernist style has played its part here, and now the masterpiece is left for people to enjoy its wisdom delicately. It burns the structure down and leaves the very notion naked. It stings and bites, but the stings heal the older wounds of misunderstanding.

That is modernism, you know.

Works Cited

Booth, Alison, and Kelly J. Mays. The Norton Introduction to Literature (Shorter Tenth Edition), 2010. Print.

Frost, Robert. “The Figure a Poem Makes.” Mr. Bauld’s English Website, n.p., 1997. Web.